HW/Weihrauch Ok Weihrauch Airgunsmiths, I need some advice... HW35 Barrel Latch Worn

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

I picked up this beautiful, vintage HW35E (with the original sights!) and while dialing it in the other day, I ran across something that I haven't seen yet in over 40 years of working on airguns. The famous HW35 barrel latch is worn to the point that it will open if tapped as one would in order to break open a standard detent / chisel latch. I've got a few ideas on a fix, but I'll bet that folks have run into this before, so I'm looking for any known fixes before I go off in my own direction.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Well theres a few things in forums out there on thos that could be cause or help .

Weak latch spring .

Worn / cut a grove in to the receiver face from opening and closing where the " chisel point" strikes and rubs.

Then worn chisel point .

Im yrying to find the post with a picture of that groove worn in to the receiver face but no luck . Seemed at gateway to airgun forum ..???

Anyways id guess weak latching spring sight unseen guessing 1000 miles away no hands on .

Most everything sold here in parts needed

Airgun Spares - Weihrauch - HW35 - T. W. Chambers & Co

twchambers.co.uk

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

Well theres a few things in forums out there on thos that could be cause or help .

Weak latch spring .

Worn / cut a grove in to the receiver face from opening and closing where the " chisel point" strikes and rubs.

Then worn chisel point .

Im yrying to find the post with a picture of that groove worn in to the receiver face but no luck . Seemed at gateway to airgun forum ..???

Anyways id guess weak latching spring sight unseen guessing 1000 miles away no hands on .

Most everything sold here in parts needed

Airgun Spares - Weihrauch - HW35 - T. W. Chambers & Co

twchambers.co.uk

I'm sorry, I should've been more clear. The issue is that the face of the breeh is worn to the point that there's not enough engagement surface in the slot before the metal tapers out toward the face of the breech. While I'm at it, I'll most definitely have a look at the latch and will replace the latch spring. In my mind, a skilled welder, (Lucky for me, that'd be my son) may be able to put a tiny dab of weld right where the metal is worn. From there, I can file a new edge where its worn away. I'm open to any other options however.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Ya.. the picture i was trying to find was showing the receiver face side of the breech area that cut a groove line and at the bottom where the latch chisel "locks" it was well worn there deep notched .

I guess unless your welding skill is surgeon enugh to fill it in right and file it back Factory straight an smooth you maybe looking at a new receiver tube ..

So you can't post any decent pictures of this ?


Like here

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=190777.0

Still i cant see any pictures if posted there . Crazy

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Found one
.lol.

hw 35 barrell lock

hi ,does the barrell lock groove worn into breech face affect performance i.e breech sealing or is it purely cosmetic hw 35 afficiados wii know what i mean atb

airgunforums.co.uk

 

[Ievgen721]

This is a common problem with old weapons with break barrels, including hunting firearms, such weapons cannot be repaired. In the case of firearms, such weapons are subject to disposal or can be used as a wall exhibit due to the danger of use. In the case of an airgun, the weapon can still be used, but it cannot be repaired. You can put washers as a temporary measure, but alas, your rifle is no longer suitable for accurate shooting.

 

[specie]

All three HW35 I have open if you tap the barrel, from the mid 60's, late 60's and recent production little used example. Maybe the barrel latch should not be considered a "breech lock"?
Folks with brand new guns should chime in, see if this is normal?

 

[Ievgen721]

All three HW35 I have open if you tap the barrel, from the mid 60's, late 60's and recent production little used example. Maybe the barrel latch should not be considered a "breech lock"?
Folks with brand new guns should chime in, see if this is normal?

I have a 2024 HW35e, no, this is not normal, check if the barrels are wobbling in the horizontal plane.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

I have a 2024 HW35e, no, this is not normal, check if the barrels are wobbling in the horizontal plane.

Maybe a normal fail ? ...lol

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

Found one
.lol.

View attachment 578394

hw 35 barrell lock

hi ,does the barrell lock groove worn into breech face affect performance i.e breech sealing or is it purely cosmetic hw 35 afficiados wii know what i mean atb

airgunforums.co.uk

Yup. That's what I'm looking at. Exactly.

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

This is a common problem with old weapons with break barrels, including hunting firearms, such weapons cannot be repaired. In the case of firearms, such weapons are subject to disposal or can be used as a wall exhibit due to the danger of use. In the case of an airgun, the weapon can still be used, but it cannot be repaired. You can put washers as a temporary measure, but alas, your rifle is no longer suitable for accurate shooting.

You may have misunderstood the issue, or I may have misunderstood you. I'm not sure how adding washers would help. The issue isn't lateral (side to side) play. The issue is that the barrel latch doesn't hold closed.

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

All three HW35 I have open if you tap the barrel, from the mid 60's, late 60's and recent production little used example. Maybe the barrel latch should not be considered a "breech lock"?
Folks with brand new guns should chime in, see if this is normal?

I own a new 35E as well. This is not normal. Definitely a wear issue at the breech face.

 

[Ievgen721]

I own a new 35E as well. This is not normal. Definitely a wear issue at the breech face.

Well then it's not a big problem and it can be fixed. I have 3 rifles with a similar mechanism Haenel 303 Super, HW-35 and Izh 38, none of them have this problem.I had a 1966 HB35, it had 2 washers on both sides, the barrel still wobbled in the horizontal plane, but the lock worked perfectly.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Yup. That's what I'm looking at. Exactly.

Ya, I figured ... It's been brought up in forums . I just wanted the picture for better understanding sake..

Ok. Still. Hold slight pressure on the latch in the locked position . Then bump it . Will it still pop open easy or hold better ?

If it seems to hold locked you may get by with a new stiffer spring and a fresh chisel point . One guy I swear I read he put a new fresh spring in place of the old original weakened over the years spring and his stayed locked .
Now if I had to order id probly get the latch chisel and spring together.

 

[Ievgen721]

I own a new 35E as well. This is not normal. Definitely a wear issue at the breech face.

Check this again to see if there is such a problem, but it can also be fixed.

 

[Wadcutter]

You got me wondering, so I just checked all mine with a good whack to try and break them open.
Years are 1956, '59, '68-69, late 70's, and a 1980. That's five HW35's and none broke open when tested.
Yours doesn't look like it's been overly used, so maybe there's rust or crud in the groove impeding a solid lock.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

The barrel in the op’s picture almost looks like the barrel is rising upwards as if it was set off prematurely. This could have damaged the lock. Or maybe it’s not the original barrel. I’m sure back then these were hand fitted. Switching barrels could cause this. Like stated earlier this gun looks as if it was not heavily used. Could be just the angle.

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

Ya, I figured ... It's been brought up in forums . I just wanted the picture for better understanding sake..

Ok. Still. Hold slight pressure on the latch in the locked position . Then bump it . Will it still pop open easy or hold better ?

If it seems to hold locked you may get by with a new stiffer spring and a fresh chisel point . One guy I swear I read he put a new fresh spring in place of the old original weakened over the years spring and his stayed locked .
Now if I had to order id probly get the latch chisel and spring together.

Good advice, and I will take it. Thank you.

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

Check this again to see if there is such a problem, but it can also be fixed.View attachment 578422View attachment 578423

Nothing like that, thank goodness. The HW35 uses a different latching system. There's a manual lever that must be actuated in order to break it open.

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

The barrel in the op’s picture almost looks like the barrel is rising upwards as if it was set off prematurely. This could have damaged the lock. Or maybe it’s not the original barrel. I’m sure back then these were hand fitted. Switching barrels could cause this. Like stated earlier this gun looks as if it was not heavily used. Could be just the angle.View attachment 578436

Yeah, it's the angle. The gun shoots straight. If anything, a little low, but certainly not high. There is visible wear on the face of the breech at the engagement point of the latch.